Arsenic Secondary Methylation Capacity Is Inversely Associated with Arsenic Exposure-Related Muscle Mass Reduction

Skeletal muscle mass reduction has been implicated in insulin resistance (IR) that promotes cardiometabolic diseases. We have previously reported that arsenic exposure increases IR concomitantly with the reduction of skeletal muscle mass among individuals exposed to arsenic. The arsenic methylation capacity is linked to the susceptibility to some arsenic exposure-related diseases. However, it remains unknown whether the arsenic methylation capacity affects the arsenic-induced reduction of muscle mass and elevation of IR. Therefore, this study examined the associations between the arsenic methylation status and skeletal muscle mass measures with regard to IR by recruiting 437 participants from low- and high-arsenic exposure areas in Bangladesh. The subjects’ skeletal muscle mass was estimated by their lean body mass (LBM) and serum creatinine levels. Subjects’ drinking water arsenic concentrations were positively associated with total urinary arsenic concentrations and the percentages of MMA, as well as inversely associated with the percentages of DMA and the secondary methylation index (SMI). Subjects’ LBM and serum creatinine levels were positively associated with the percentage of DMA and SMI, as well as inversely associated with the percentage of MMA. HOMA-IR showed an inverse association with SMI, with a confounding effect of sex. Our results suggest that reduced secondary methylation capacity is involved in the arsenic-induced skeletal muscle loss that may be implicated in arsenic-induced IR and cardiometabolic diseases.

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Skeletal muscle mass in relation to 10 year cardiovascular disease incidence among middle aged and older adults: the ATTICA study

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2019-212268 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 26-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Stefanos Tyrovolas ◽

Demosthenes Panagiotakos ◽

Ekavi Georgousopoulou ◽

Christina Chrysohoou ◽

Dimitrios Tousoulis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Population Based ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Appendicular Skeletal Muscle

BackgroundSkeletal muscle mass (SMM) is inversely associated with cardiometabolic health and the ageing process. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between SMM and 10 year cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence, among CVD-free adults 45+ years old.MethodsATTICA is a prospective, population-based study that recruited 3042 adults without pre-existing CVD from the Greek general population (Caucasians; age ≥18 years; 1514 men). The 10 year study follow-up (2011–2012) captured the fatal/non-fatal CVD incidence in 2020 participants (50% men). The working sample consisted of 1019 participants, 45+ years old (men: n=534; women: n=485). A skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was created to reflect SMM, using appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) standardised by body mass index (BMI). ASM and SMI were calculated with specific indirect population formulas.ResultsThe 10 year CVD incidence increased significantly across the baseline SMI tertiles (p<0.001). Baseline SMM showed a significant inverse association with the 10 year CVD incidence (HR 0.06, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.78), even after adjusting for various confounders. Additionally, participants in the highest SMM tertile had 81% (95% CI 0.04 to 0.85) lower risk for a CVD event as compared with those in the lowest SMM tertile.ConclusionsThe presented findings support the importance of SMM evaluation in the prediction of long-term CVD risk among adults 45+ years old without pre-existing CVD. Preservation of SMM may contribute to CVD health.

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